BMEH5840KD Schneider 24V DC Ethernet ePAC Processor Kit

Product Overview

The Schneider Electric BMEH5840KD (Modicon M580 Series) is a premium redundant Hot Standby (HSBY) Ethernet Programmable Automation Controller (ePAC) processor kit designed for large-scale, high-availability industrial processes. Built for mission-critical operations in oil & gas, power generation, water treatment, and infrastructure, this dual-CPU redundant solution ensures zero-downtime control through continuous hardware synchronization.

Operating on an internal 24 V DC backplane bus supply drawing 360 mA, the BMEH5840KD delivers an expanded 64 MB application program memory, advanced cybersecurity capabilities (Achilles Level 2 certified), and rapid program execution speeds up to 40 Kinst/ms. Protected by a conformal-coated IP20 enclosure rated for harsh ambient environments, the unit weighs 0.88 kg (1.94 lbs) with an estimated gross package shipping weight of 1.55 kg (3.42 lbs).

Core Technical Advantages

• Expanded 64 MB Application Memory: Features four times the memory capacity of standard M580 processors, enabling execution of complex control algorithms and extensive data logging.
• Bumpless Hot Standby Redundancy: Dedicated high-speed fiber-optic HSBY synchronization ports provide sub-millisecond data mirroring and instantaneous primary-to-standby failover.
• High-Capacity Network Scanner: Supports up to 31 Ethernet Remote I/O (RIO) drops and up to 64 Distributed Equipment (DIO) devices directly on the Ethernet backplane network.
• Severe Environment Protection: Conformal coating (Class 3C4 / Class 3S4 compliant) guards internal electronics against corrosive airborne contaminants, humidity, and dust exposure.

Technical Specifications

Installation & Setup Recommendations

• Dual-Rack Redundancy Architecture: Mount primary and standby BMEH5840KD CPUs into identical Modicon X80 Ethernet backplanes connected to independent uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
• Fiber-Optic HSBY Link: Interconnect the dedicated optical sync ports on both CPUs using approved multimode fiber cables to ensure uninterrupted memory replication.
• Software Configuration: Configure project hardware and Ethernet RIO networks within EcoStruxure Control Expert, verifying both CPUs execute identical firmware versions before commissioning.

Technical FAQs

Q1: What is the main technical difference between Schneider BMEH5840KA and BMEH5840KD?
A1: The BMEH5840KD features a larger 64 MB application memory (compared to 16 MB on the BMEH5840KA) and expanded network drop capacity supporting up to 31 RIO drops.

Q2: How many Ethernet Remote I/O drops can the BMEH5840KD processor control?
A2: It can control up to 31 Ethernet RIO drops and up to 64 DIO devices across the process network.

Q3: What operating voltage and current consumption apply to the BMEH5840KD module?
A3: It draws 360 mA at 24 V DC from the internal rack backplane power supply.